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University College Dublin

Forensic Computing & Cybercrime Investigation

This is a programme for law enforcement. It aims to provide high quality forensic computing and cybercrime investigation training and formal education. It is also designed to deliver cutting-edge, up-to-date cybercrime investigation techniques, strategies and tactics that allow students to understand and tackle emerging trends in cybercrime. Over the past 10 years we brought in specialists from around the world to review and advise on the content considering the needs of digital forensic investigators and computer crime specialists. The UCD School of Computer Science (CS) and UCD Centre for Cybersecurity and Cybercrime Investigation (CCI) are working closely with law enforcement agencies and industry practitioners in seeking solutions to technologies-related crime. CS and CCI staff also collaborate with the scientists from European Cybercrime Training and Educational Group at Europol (ECTEG) to work on applied research and developing forensic tools and then to transfer high impact research achievements and efficient, free forensic tools to the law enforcement community. This programme is delivered by experienced academics from CS and CCI and also by experts who are leaders, managers and heads of forensic departments in law enforcement agencies and in industry.

A wide range of modules is available at beginner and advanced levels. On successful completion of the programme, depending on the module taken, students will be able to:
-Understand methods used to conduct forensic analysis of digital devices including computer systems and mobile devices
-Identify, collect, process, analyse and present digital forensics evidence
-Use common network investigation techniques
-Develop critical thinking in analysing and performing cybercrime investigation
-Research and develop custom tools for evidence analysis
-Work in groups to resolve computer forensic challenges
-Understand the cybercrime business model and how to perform the financial fraud investigations
-Conduct research into novel forensic and cybercrime investigation problems
-Investigate cases of child sexual exploitation on the Internet
-Tackle the forensic analysis of future technologies (both hardware and software) through the development of new applications.

Entry requirements

As well as being restricted to members of LAW ENFORCEMENT (LE) organisations, applicants are normally expected to be working in an investigative role. Law enforcement includes any organisation that has responsibility for the enforcement of national or local legislation including but not limited to:
Local, National, or Federal Police Forces
International Police organisations (Europol, Interpol, etc)
Fisheries
Revenue & Customs
Military

Applicants to the M.Sc. / Grad. Diploma / Grad. Certificate programme should have 5 years experience in LE. If they have less than 5 years experience in LE, applicants should have a degree in computing / policing studies / related discipline;
OR
2 years LE experience in Digital Forensics / Cybercrime Investigation role.

If they do not meet the above criteria, candidates may apply to do single modules as CPD (F001). Each applicant will be assessed on a case by case basis.

Duration

This Masters degree is completed by building 90 credits selecting modules from both semesters and can be completed in one year on a full-time basis or in two years on a part-time basis.

Number of credits

90 credits

Careers or further progression

In the past 11 years, over 700 law enforcement officers from 61 countries and have studied on this programme. For law enforcement officers, having this qualification has the advantage of adding credibility to their testimony as expert witnesses. Career development possibilities are excellent. Graduates include senior staff at Europol and INTERPOL, members of national and regional police forces and police training colleges, government ministries and agencies with LE powers, defence forces, specialist cybercrime agencies, revenue, customs and border protection. Our graduate community is one of the benefits of the course. Contact us if you'd like to speak to a graduate about their experience.

Further enquiries

Contact Name: Ian Bonar
Contact Number: +353 (0)1 716 2947

Subjects taught

Course content and the flexible mode of delivery are designed to suit busy working professionals located all over the world.

Modules available

There are two core modules and a further thirteen elective taught modules. Students are recommended to take the core modules and then select further modules, according to their interests and experience. Please look at the detailed module descriptions for pre-requisites, learning outcomes, assessment scheme and workload. It is not mandatory to do a dissertation - the MSc may be completed with taught modules only. Graduate Diploma and Graduate Certificate options are also available. It is possible to take single modules as CPD.

Computer Forensics COMP40100 (core module)
Network Investigations COMP40110 (core module)
Programming for Investigators COMP40120
Financial Investigation Techniques - Following the Money (COMP47510)
Open Source Intelligence COMP41330
Linux for Investigators COMP41430
Investigations of Sexual Abuse of Children on the Internet / Online Child Exploitation COMP41480
Mobile Devices Investigations COMP47430
Advanced Scripting COMP41570
VoIP and Wireless Investigations COMP41580
Advanced Computer Forensics COMP41590
Malware Investigations COMP41650
Live Data Forensics COMP41660
Data & Database Forensics COMP47370
Advanced Malware Analysis COMP47380

Case Studies COMP40150
Research Project in Forensic Computing and Cyber Crime Investigation COMP40160

Course delivery
Lectures are pre-recorded and provided online via a virtual online learning environment. Exercises, reading and assignments and projects are conducted online and in our virtual labs. Students are required to come to Dublin, or another UCD exam centre for approx. 5-10 days each year to complete examinations and workshops. All modules are examined in May/June each year in Dublin, Netherlands and the USA. We also hold optional exams in Dublin in December for our semester one modules.